spalding

That was obviously the line was club was spinning (not just SG) - as Stevo on C7 said categorically on the news on Monday after the game that he would not be subject to concussion protocols. More fool me for believing he knew what he was talking about. Going out to buy a Herald Sun now just to make sure I remain well informed

You can argue whether we target the right player, but given our recent targets in the last 3 years have been Lever, Langdon, Tomlinson, May and Brown we have a pretty good track record of getting our targets.

the comment about holding the ball was very valid - and I know it was only a practice game (for all concerned including the umps), but geez it was frustrating that the Dogs seem allowed to drop the ball in the tackle (or at least the few that did stick) but we got pinged every time

I hope Bowey plays round 1. Besides that kick you mentioned he had a couple of very good quick hand passes in close under pressure, and also a couple of times he guided the ball to advantage without taking possession because he was under serious pressure and would have been caught if he did. He’s got footy smarts and probably already the best option we have now as a small defender.

Nope - it was reported that he would not be subject to the protocols

Reported on 7 news that it was head and neck and will not be subject to concussion protocols

Just said on 7 news that it was head-neck and not, repeat not, a concussion issue. that said, still said that he will be tested before round 1 (or words to that effect), but not subject to concussion protocol

At half time I thought they had more to worry about than us - a forward line that was being beaten by our backs, and a backline that wasn’t great against our forwards. in the second half as I watched us fall off tackles and miss targets I’ve changed my mind. not slitting wrists given so many players out, but god I hope May is ok for round 1, the guys who were out can come back in (only chandler and Bowery worth a second thought for round 1 IMO), and hope we do much much better at stoppages so we can get the opportunities to try a kick a winning score. can’t really understand our odds for round 1 - although Walters being out evens things up a bit (assuming May can play)

I’m less bullish on Geelong after last night. Will still get enough freebies at pork barrel park to make finals , but I think the new rules might catch out their slow ball movement game style. They looked slow last night.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/gawn-in-new-demon-deal-as-players-commit-to-selfless-drive-to-top-20210304-p577x2.html love you Max. good that they are identifying the same underperformance relative to “potential” and talent that we all talk about . Hopefully petracca and Oliver really believe in what Max says.

My first thought was what a load of bs - as we always seem to get the best teams (conferences or not) - but the only way we get to finals is for teams above us to lose, so may as well be us who beats them.

Play him - I don’t care who misses as a result. So much time and skill. Most exciting thing about the day IMO.

goody will be one or the other!

I really hope that Goody ends up being successful with Melbourne, but he seems to have the same bemused expression I have when I am being sold something that I'm not sure I really want.

Sorry for the bum stead. when I questioned my mate about an exact time, he says it was “delayed” - whatever that means (maybe it still is the 25th). apologies again - I hope no-one had already made plans.

My well placed Tigers source said there will be a 6 quarter scratch match vs the Tigers this Thursday at Casey.

great - If May was wearing a Geelong jumper how would he go? Probably called "play on" in a real game

Shows we have poor coaching and a VFL quality backline at best, which will get toweled up by Dixon, Lynch, Hawkins etc. 6-8 wins in 2021 is all we can hope for, with everyone below us except North and Adelaide going straight past us. Just thought I'd get in before the usual glass half full posters.

probably explains their interest in Nev. He is an asset that we can not afford to lose. I hope our current Board are working on how we keep him involved with the club once his playing days are over.

interesting to see this re Kossie and also the comments about Hunt training with the backs. Perhaps we are looking at our fastest players to receive the ball in the middle of ground and speed towards goal to break defensive zones and give our tall forwards one on one opportunities. This will be a feature of the game this year because of the change in the manning the mark rule (ie the man on the mark can not slow up the game and then be replaced by a team mate coming from the side or forward of the ball carrier, which allows him to flood back to congest the defensive zone for the next kick). Tmac might be pivotal in this strategy - someone who can present, mark and quick handball release on the wing/centre of the ground to the speedsters running past. I reckon teams like Port could be found out with this rule (a bit like we were in 2019 with the 6/6/6). They have a lot of contested beasts in the midfield who are not particularly quick (which will be an issue for us too if we don't adapt our game plan), play a very high defense, and are not particularly strong one on one defenders (i.e. when they come up against Tom Hawkins and the like).

Change of rule re manning the mark might mean that Hunt back on the half back flack (or wing) would be very difficult to stop running through the centre of the ground. Whilst not the best kick into a leading forward, if he is a designated handball receiver running 50 metres and having shots at goal he could be back to the weapon he was in 2016.

If Tmac was third that could be encouraging. Anyone know how he went last year? I know he used to win it regularly before the last couple of years.

Normally I take the time trials with a grain of salt (after all, ANB is currently our best runner), but I think it will be really interesting to see if tmac is back close to the levels he was at a few years ago. That could be a portent of a much improved year. With reduced interchange, I reckon having a player who can play key forward or back, a few minutes in the ruck, and possibly even pinch hit on the wing could give us valuable insurance on match day and more flexibility with team selection.

I think if we have to play at the cattery round 23 is probably the best time. Most likely they will have already stitched up a top 2 position and have nothing riding on the game, or hopefully their all-in for 2021 strategy has spectacularly backfired and they are imploding outside of the 8. Only issue with that could be it results in multiple retirements and they fire up for the last game of the likes of Selwood. At least Gablett and Taylor have already gone!

He’s “hard work” according to a mate in the inner sanctum at Tigerland, but maybe that’s what we need. I’m normally a glass half full sort of guy, so obviously I have no place to be on demonland!